Comments on: Blogger relations & transparency: A must-listen/read for PR practitioners

By: Joseph Thornley

Joseph Thornley — Wed, 22 Mar 2006 18:59:17 +0000

I’m totally with you. Anonymous comments are bad at any time (unless we are blogging in Iran!)

By: Judy Gombita

Judy Gombita — Wed, 22 Mar 2006 18:49:40 +0000

“I wish that the authors of political blogs would adopt a policy of not approving anonymous comments.”

Hear, hear! But why not make it “authors of any blog that positions the blog as a reputable source of information adopt a policy of not approving comments that do not include the individual’s full name.”

Why limit it to political blogs?

By: Joseph Thornley

Joseph Thornley — Wed, 22 Mar 2006 16:29:09 +0000

Judy, I believe that anyone involved in a real conversation will make their identity known. I think your practise is the right practise and it is one that I share.

In fact, one of the things that concerns me about political blogs is the preponderance of commentors who veil their identity with pseudonyms. Often, these people engage in personal attacks and repeat rumour and innuendo. In doing this, they demean blogging and they demean themselves. I wish that the authors of political blogs would adopt a policy of not approving anonymous comments.

By: Judy Gombita

Judy Gombita — Wed, 22 Mar 2006 13:34:57 +0000

How do you feel about folks who make negative comments (usually about a company, sometimes about an individual) in a third-party platform, and only provide his or her first name (or initials), Joseph Thornley?

As I recently indicated to a colleague who blogs, I pick and choose where and what to comment upon in online forums. Generally it’s an area of which I have a business or personal interest, or when I believe that my point of view isn’t getting a fair airing in the current debate, so I opt to wade in (i.e., weigh in). And if I do post, in the interest of transparency, it will definitely be “branded” with my first AND last name.

In particular, individuals who practise in the fields of communications and public relations should be forthcoming about taking on full responsibility for what they write in public forums.

By: Joseph

Joseph — Fri, 17 Mar 2006 19:10:45 +0000

Good point Greg.

I have generally found that commenters on business blogs leave their names. However, one of the things that I find troubling is the large number of people who post comments on political blogs using a pseudonym. And many of these posts are highly personal and negative.

By: Greg McGillis

Greg McGillis — Fri, 17 Mar 2006 19:00:57 +0000

Social media should be just that: socially acceptable, ethical, above board and transparent.

As an official of various organisations, my comments are that much more valuable if I disclose my ties — if I have nothing to be afraid of. If, on the other hand, I’m trying to pull a fast one, everyone loses: the people who want to hear your side, those who might have listened with open ears to an honest presentation and you, the blogger/comment leaver, who now has to worry about the blowback of being found out.

It’s natural to want to hide behind anonymity given the opportunity to do so, but one can’t really call it sociable.

A variation of the old PR maxim is, if you don’t want it printed with your name on a popular blog in the morning, then don’t write it.